Mud, Glorious Mud Greets Racers at Deschutes River CX Cyclocross

Photo credit: Ronald Jones Photography.
0 Shares

 

Submitted by Ron Jones

deschutes river cx
Local rider, Erik Anderson, was one champion during the Deschutes River CX race. Photo credit: Ronald Jones Photography.

On Saturday, November, 7, 53eleven Race Promotions, with help from Olympia Orthopaedic Associates (OOA) CBC Racing Team, brought the Washington State Bicycle Association State Cyclocross Championships to Pioneer Park in Tumwater. The event drew close to 300 cyclists from across Washington State. The venue at Tumwater’s Pioneer Park proved epic due to heavy rains and new trails cut into the course by City of Tumwater Parks and Recreation department.

Four Thurston County residents (Erik Anderson, Jennifer Burtner, Roy Stansell and Julianne Vanderhagen) laid claim to being 2015 State Cyclocross Champions by winning their respective races. Erik, Jennifer and Roy all race for OOA, while Julianne is on the local junior’s team Rad Racing NW.

Cyclocross is a type of bike racing that combines elements of mountain biking and road cycling. Racers go all out for 30 to 60 minutes around a  technical, obstacle-laden course that is roughly two kilometers in distance.

deschutes river cx
Obstacles like The Pond (pictured here) threw up a lot of mud in racer’s faces. Photo credit: Ronald Jones Photography.

This year’s course included a lot of slippery mud, some of it the consistency of peanut butter.  There was also plenty of uneven terrain, heavy sand, forested trails, barked pathways, pavement and even barriers to jump over.

Cyclocross is super fun and a spectator friendly event. Plenty of cheering and heckling were on hand as racers negotiated sections called Peanut Butter Slips, Thigh Master Boulevard and The Pond. Everyone finished completely exhausted, looking as though they had a mud bath, yet grinning ear to ear.

Cyclocross a sport that epitomizes youthful enthusiasm while staying fit through competition.

This was the fifth year for the Deschutes River CX race in Tumwater.  Event organizers plan to bring it back in 2016 with the hopes of drawing 500  racers. Racers and spectators can keep up with the event and learn details about the November 2016 date by following the event’s Facebook page.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
0 Shares